1. I'm using 15 pound felt paper for a moisture barrier behind the backerboard. The shower pan has a 1" flange. Should I affix the moisture barrier to the flange or does it matter? In a vid I saw, they used asphalt roofing cement to affix the two, but nothing else I've read has mentioned the need to do it.

2. Should I fill in the gap between the backerboard and the shower flange with silicon chalk or thin-set mortar? The manufacturer of the shower pan (Swanstone) states I should leave a 1/2" gap between the shower base's flange and the backerboard.

3. I'm using Hardibacker for the backerboard. Should I leave a 1/8" gap between sheets? The manufacturer's website doesn't say anything about it either way, but my understanding is it's right practice.

4. I'm installing a Swanstone shower base (pan). The instructions state I should lay a bed of thin-set under the base to prevent it from flexing while in use. The floor's almost dead level. Is it worth doing?

I've never done any of this before and I just want to be bulletproof.

Proby

08-02-2010 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swazzle
(Post 479596)

1. I'm using 15 pound felt paper for a moisture barrier behind the backerboard. The shower pan has a 1" flange. Should I affix the moisture barrier to the flange or does it matter? In a vid I saw, they used asphalt roofing cement to affix the two, but nothing else I've read has mentioned the need to do it.

I saw that same video, and like you, I haven't seen anything else saying to do that. Everything else has said to have the paper (or plastic) come inside the flange, but doesn't mention gluing it.